The Military Workshop
1st Lieutenant
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2005
- Messages
- 4,778
"Are you as good as the Kentucky National Guard" - Aussie General to Officer Cadets.
Hi Guys,
I have just been reading a book by MAJGEN Jim Moylan (retired) of the Australian Army. He served as Chief of Operations in Iraq under General Casey in Iraq in 2004/05. He was in charge of planning the first election.
He mentioned an ambush of a convoy in Iraq in great detail. It involved a convoy of 30 trucks that was ambushed and the subsequent counter attack by 9 MP's and a medic in 3 Humvee's (under call sign Raven 42, 617th MP Co, Kentucky National Guard, assigned to the 503rd MP Bn (Fort Bragg), 18th MP Bde).
He particularly mentioned the fact all three vehicles had the same weapons and equipment and that they and the spare ammo were located in the same position in each vehicle. Each team member was trained in all the weapons with one new member trained the day before. This was important to their success.
I had not heard of this incident before but a quick Google seach revealed it was well reported upon in the USA.
A detailed after action report can be found at
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/03/after_action_re.html
(some of the comments below the AAR are also interesting).
and details of the subsequent medal awards (3 Silver Stars, 3 Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Army Commendation Medals) and group photo can be found at
http://thedonovan.com/archives/004161.html
plus there are multiple others sites that mention it.
MAJGEN Moylan ended the story by saying that everytime he speaks to young Australian officer cadets he mentioned this story and emphasised that the MP"s were part time soldiers. He is a former Commandant of Duntroon (the Australian West Point). He challenges them as young professional full time soldiers with the closing
line "Are you as good as the Kentucky National Guard".
Recently there has been much debate in Australia about women in combat roles and I am surprised this incident has not been mentioned as one of the Silver Stars was awarded to a female SGT.
Most US forum members may be aware of this fine action by a group of part timers but others may be interested.
Regards
Brett
Hi Guys,
I have just been reading a book by MAJGEN Jim Moylan (retired) of the Australian Army. He served as Chief of Operations in Iraq under General Casey in Iraq in 2004/05. He was in charge of planning the first election.
He mentioned an ambush of a convoy in Iraq in great detail. It involved a convoy of 30 trucks that was ambushed and the subsequent counter attack by 9 MP's and a medic in 3 Humvee's (under call sign Raven 42, 617th MP Co, Kentucky National Guard, assigned to the 503rd MP Bn (Fort Bragg), 18th MP Bde).
He particularly mentioned the fact all three vehicles had the same weapons and equipment and that they and the spare ammo were located in the same position in each vehicle. Each team member was trained in all the weapons with one new member trained the day before. This was important to their success.
I had not heard of this incident before but a quick Google seach revealed it was well reported upon in the USA.
A detailed after action report can be found at
http://www.blackfive.net/main/2005/03/after_action_re.html
(some of the comments below the AAR are also interesting).
and details of the subsequent medal awards (3 Silver Stars, 3 Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts and Army Commendation Medals) and group photo can be found at
http://thedonovan.com/archives/004161.html
plus there are multiple others sites that mention it.
MAJGEN Moylan ended the story by saying that everytime he speaks to young Australian officer cadets he mentioned this story and emphasised that the MP"s were part time soldiers. He is a former Commandant of Duntroon (the Australian West Point). He challenges them as young professional full time soldiers with the closing
line "Are you as good as the Kentucky National Guard".
Recently there has been much debate in Australia about women in combat roles and I am surprised this incident has not been mentioned as one of the Silver Stars was awarded to a female SGT.
Most US forum members may be aware of this fine action by a group of part timers but others may be interested.
Regards
Brett
